Hall of Fame racing legend Bill Wimble to make guest appearance at Hamlin Speedway on August 2

Wednesday

Jul 30, 2014 at 1:45 PM

By Steve Pados

By Steve Pados

GA Motorsports Media

Hamlin, PA - Hamlin Speedway Promoters Randy and Denise Smith, through the efforts of Speedway announcer and media correspondent Steve Pados, will welcome one the legendary Modified racers of all-time "The Flying Dairy Farmer" Bill Wimble to the speedway grounds Saturday, August 2nd. Bill is a Hall of Fame and legendary former two-time NASCAR Sportsman Champion having earned the titles in 1960 and 1961. With Bill making one of his annual trips into the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania for the upcoming NASCAR race weekend, Pados has put the pieces in place with the Smith Family to have Bill make a special appearance at the speedway on Saturday night August 2nd as part of the big show the speedway has planned for the weekend. With the second installment of the popular NASCAR Crew Challenge already being a scheduled portion of the racing program, the appearance of the one of the all-time great drivers of our time adds special significance to the already great racing programs held at the Hamlin Speedway on a weekly basis. Wimble, who in conjunction with author Lew Boyd at Coastal 181, tells of the incredible journey of his storied life in his best selling book "I'll Never Be Last Again", will be signing and selling the books at the event from approximately 4:30 in the afternoon. Along with Bill for this special weekend of events will be former Utica Rome Speedway owner and promoter Dick Waterman. Waterman owned the New York based speedway for a fifteen year span from 1964 until 1979 when the track was pavement and carried the NASCAR sanction and had all of the top dogs of the day racing at his speedway. It was during the Waterman Era at Utica Rome that he and Bill Wimble forged a lasting friendship that continues on to this day.

Bill Wimble resided in upstate New York and is the starting point where he began his incredible journey in racing. After close to twenty years and 250 wins behind the wheel of a race car, Wimble retired from the sport after a horrific accident at the Lebanon Valley Speedway where he was crowned the speedway champion in 1968 with more than a month remaining in the season. Wimble, with his racing career behind him, went on to become a very successful businessman and at one time owned more than 25 businesses in his incredible foray into the business world. Wimble was a fourteen time track champion at eight different speedways in his illustrious racing career with five of those titles coming at the famous Fonda Fairgrounds. Wimble captured wins at many of the speedways of the day and although he belonged to the NASCAR organization, traveled into Pennsylvania and New Jersey area to compete at Harmony, Reading, Nazareth, Flemington and Nazareth National Speedways and made his presence known at every speedway where he competed. Wimble was the NASCAR Sportsman Champion in consecutive seasons in both 1960 and 1961, became the New York State champion on five occasions and earned the Connecticut State championship twice. Bill was among five friends who rescued Marvin Panch from his burning Maserati in 1963 at the Daytona International Speedway and for their heroics received the prestigious Carnegie Bronze Medal for Bravery. Wimble is a member of many motorsports Hall of Fames regarding his racing exploits and was honored by AARN as one of the top 25 Modified drivers of all-time. Wimble drove for many owners in his illustrious driving career but most fans will always pair him with the famous Dave McCredy owned, Fred DeCarr wrenched signature numbered 33 cars of black, white and red paint schemes. Wimble also did a short stint with legendary car owner Paul Deasey of 707 "Big Donkey" fame at some of the local speedways mentioned above.

The book will be on sale at the speedway for $20.00 and Bill will personally sign each copy at the speedway. Bill was a frequent guest on the popular CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV/Internet Program in it's ten year run and remarked he is looking forward to meeting an entire new era of the racing community. Co-host of the popular show during it's run, Ed Pados, had this to say in regards to Bill Wimble by stating, "Bill Wimble is truly a gentleman of racing and the legend of the man is pure fact. Steve and I have had the opportunity to have Bill on our show, see him at racing functions and have enjoyed the capacity of breaking bread with him numerous times and through each experience have learned more and more about this incredible man. He was the ultimate racer and my brother Steve and I are honored to be able to consider Bill a very close personal friend".

Along with Bill Wimble and Dick Waterman, the always popular NASCAR Crew Challenge will be part of the racing card. These part-time demons of speed will be coming in full bore ready to don the racing gear and entertain the racing fans. While the sparks always fly at each gathering, this event will carry the bragging rights a win at the speedway will bring to them and last throughout the winter months. Kevin White has been one of the important pieces of the puzzle to bring in the NASCAR Crew Challenge to the speedway and will be a favorite to once again to show his comrades the short way around the facility. Posted below are the results of the last NASCAR Crew Challenge held in June.

August 9th will bring the Briggs and Stratton Mid-Atlantic All Star Slingshot Tour back to the Hamlin Speedway. A dual heat format and 30 lap feature with $500.00 on the line with more than 24 entries. Pit Gates open at the speedway at 1 PM; Drivers Meeting at 4:45; Hot Laps are at 5:00 and the racing begins at 6 PM sharp. Admission Prices for regular shows are: Adults $10.00; Senior Citizens $5.00 Children under 6 are Free; Pit Pass: $25.00

Please support the many great sponsors who assist in working and sponsoring the season long events at the speedway. Dutch's Market in Greentown, PA; Schmitt Sales, Stream Energy, Tilcon, Yankowski Enterprises, Triple Cities Mack, Dickie Keiper Speed Supplies, Ron Brown Hauling, Classic Cycles, Kim's Kreations, RockAuto.com and Howe's Comfort Inn are all part of the advertising family at the speedway and we graciously thank them for their support.

For further updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Hamlin Speedway, logon to their well documented website at: http://www.hamlinspeedway.com or call the speedway hotline at: 570 420 5500.